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Philip D. Coates, 76

Philip D. Coates, 76, of Signal Mountain, Tenn., formerly Hudson, passed away from injuries from a motorcycle accident on Saturday, Feb. 16, at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Phil was born on Oct. 19, 1931, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Philip and LaMerle (Reaves) Coates. He attended Baylor Military Academy for boys in Chattanooga. Following this he joined the U.S. Air Force (stationed at Chanute Air Force Base, Rantuol, Ill.), where he was an officer instructor. He later returned to school at Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was awarded a degree in business administration. Following his graduation, he joined the family business GW Reaves Milling Machine Distribution. From there Phil joined America Lava Corp., which was soon acquired by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, where he worked from 1961 to 1994. With 3M, Phil was integral in developing and promoting air emission products and spoke at many Earth Day events.

On Oct. 14, 1961, he married Phyllis J. Willis in Chattanooga, Tenn. In 1974, his job brought the two of them and their daughters to Hudson, where they made their home for the next 20 years. Phil was well loved by his family and friends for his spirit and adventure of life. He enjoyed, camping, canoeing, music, reading, traveling, sailing, cars, motorcycles, woodworking, spending time with his family and friends and a good joke.